Dorothy Doss was the wife of Desmond Doss, the World War II hero who saved 75 lives without carrying a weapon. She was a devoted Christian, a loving mother, and a supportive partner who stood by her husband through his physical and emotional wounds. Her life was cut short by a car accident in 1991, leaving behind a legacy of faith and courage.
Early Life and Marriage
Dorothy Schutte was born on December 16, 1920, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She met Desmond Doss at a Seventh-day Adventist church in Lynchburg, Virginia, and they married on August 17, 1942. Dorothy said she married Desmond because she could trust him. “He was a good Christian and I figured he would help me go to Heaven.” She also said he was the first one she ever kissed.
Dorothy gave Desmond a Bible as a gift, which he carried with him throughout his army service. She inscribed it with the following message: “If we do not meet another time on this earth, we have the assurance of a happy meeting place in heaven. May God in His mercy grant us both a place there.”
War and Aftermath
Desmond Doss was drafted into the army in 1942, but refused to carry or use a weapon due to his religious beliefs. He became a medic and served in the Pacific theater, where he displayed extraordinary bravery and compassion. He single-handedly rescued 75 wounded soldiers from the battlefield during the Battle of Okinawa, earning him the Medal of Honor.
Desmond returned from the war with severe injuries and tuberculosis, which left him 90 percent disabled and claimed one of his lungs and five ribs. He spent six years in hospital getting treatment, while Dorothy raised their son Desmond “Tommy” Jr alone for the first five years of his life. She also completed her nursing training to help support her family financially.
Despite the hardships, Dorothy’s faith and love for her family remained strong. She was always there for Desmond, encouraging him and praying with him. In 1976, Desmond lost his hearing due to complications with the tuberculosis antibiotics. Dorothy began writing messages to him so they could communicate, jokingly calling herself his “hearing ear dog”.
Death and Legacy
Dorothy Doss had her own battles with sickness. She was diagnosed and underwent surgery for breast cancer in 1982. Her health improved over the next eight years before rapidly deteriorating. On November 17, 1991, the Dosses were on their way to the hospital for one of her regular treatments when Desmond lost control of the car. The vehicle plunged down an embankment and Dorothy was killed as it rolled over. According to an interview with Tommy in the Chinook Observer, the accident happened less than a mile from their home at Lookout Mountain. He believes Dorothy died instantly. She was 70 years old.
Dorothy Doss was buried at Chattanooga National Cemetery next to her husband, who died in 2006 at the age of 87. They are survived by their son Tommy and their grandchildren.
Dorothy Doss was more than just a wife of a war hero. She was a hero herself, who exemplified the virtues of faithfulness, loyalty, and sacrifice. She was an inspiration to many who knew her or heard her story. As Tommy said, “She’s the most underrated person in this whole thing. So much of what has happened to my dad would not have happened had it not been for her.”
